Thailand Gears Up for Fresh Protests

BANGKOK – Thailand’s main opposition party is ramping up efforts to counter a controversial amnesty bill that would enable former leader Thaksin Shinawatra to return home a free man after he fled the country amid corruption charges in 2008.

Reuters

Protestors gather in front of police on Oct. 10. Anti-government protestors are threatening to hold mass rallies in opposition to an amnesty bill that could open the door for deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to the country without having to serve jail time for a corruption conviction.

The opposition Democrat Party has called for a mass rally at Samsen railway station in central Bangkok on Thursday, when the House of Representatives is scheduled to hold a second debate on the amnesty bill, according to the party’s spokesman.

It was first proposed back in August by a party lawmaker, sparking street protests. Aside from those accused of politically-related crimes following a military coup that toppled Mr. Thaksin in 2006, the bill would give amnesty to those accused of wrongdoing by organizations set up by coup leaders.

That includes Mr. Thaksin, the businessman-turned-politician who was sentenced to two years in jail for corruption and abuse of power based on investigations by the now-defunct Asset Examination Committee – an organization founded by the coup makers.

Under the amnesty bill pardons would also be granted to opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who public prosecutors charged on Monday with murder in connection with his role in a crackdown on a protest led by Thaksin’s supporters in 2010, when Mr. Abhisit was the country’s premier. Military personnel who acted on Mr. Abhisit’s orders will be also be pardoned.

The crackdown, one of the bloodiest in Thailand’s recent history, killed more than 90 people, mostly protesters, and injured scores.

Mr. Abhisit and his deputy, Suthep Thaugsuban, who also was charged, said in a press conference on Tuesday that they were innocent. Mr. Abhisit also told reporters that he would not accept the amnesty coverage and vowed to oppose the bill since it would open the door for Mr. Thaksin’s return.

To send a message that the war is on, four senior Democrat Party lawmakers, resigned from their executive posts within the party on Wednesday so, they said, they could be more involved in planning the mass rally.

“We don’t want our action to have any legal consequences on the party,” said Thaworn Senniam, the party’s former deputy leader in charge of the south.

The resignations of the four Democrats has been seen as a a strategic move. During a protest, the government has the right to impose special laws, and can order the arrest of protest leaders if the laws are violated. If a party executive is arrested in this case, it could lead to the party’s dissolution.

While the amnesty bill has clearly upset Thailand’s anti-Thaksin faction, it has also sparked threats of protests from his supporters. Mr. Thaksin’s traditional allies, known as the Red Shirts, have threatened to protest the bill since it would extend to the military and Messrs. Abhisit and Suthep, who they blame for the death of protesters in 2010. Many here now fear that its passage could lead to further civil unrest.

“This ‘wholesale’ amnesty bill is unacceptable,” said Sombat Boonngam-anong, a leader of a pro-Thaksin group dubbed Red Shirt Sunday. “Politicians and authorities have to be responsible for their wrongdoing.”

Red Shirt Sunday staged a protest last Sunday in downtown Bangkok that attracted a few hundred supporters and allowed them to voice their demand that the Pheu Thai party review its support for the blanket amnesty bill. Protest leaders say the amnesty should only cover people accused of political crimes, but not authorities, military personnel – or Mr. Thaksin.

Mr. Sombat said the group will take to the street again next month if the Pheu Thai party ignores its demand. Suriyasai Katasila, the coordinator of a coalition of anti-government groups, say they are also planning a separate rally after the bill goes through the final round of votes in the House, which is expected in November

“The blanket amnesty … will cause even more troubles,” said Mr. Sombat of the Red Shirt Sunday group.

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